EP74: Act 2 For Sharon Orlopp: Storytelling with a Purpose

Sharon Orlopp had risen to the pinnacle of her corporate career and, by the time she retired, she was Global Chief Diversity Officer at Walmart, responsible for a workforce of 2.2 million people.

Upon leaving the company, however, Sharon found herself pulled in another direction, one in which she helps tell powerful stories of overcoming struggle, particularly stories that come from immigrant or minority populations. In her first book Sharon shares the true story of Thuhang Tran, from her beginnings in Vietnam, struggles with polio, losing her family, then finding them again, and much more.

Sharon is President of Orlopp Enterprise, an organization focused on education about inclusion of all people. Sharon recently retired as the Global Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President, Corporate HR, at Walmart, Sharon was responsible for advancing a diverse and inclusive workforce of 2.2 million associates worldwide. Her responsibilities included overseeing and leveraging global diversity and inclusion efforts, associate relations, and HR policy for the world’s largest retailer.

Sharon spent 12 years at Walmart in senior leadership roles in Human Resources, including Senior Vice President of People at Sam’s Club. Prior to joining the company, Sharon was Vice President of Human Resources for Sports Authority where she was responsible for compensation, benefits, training, recruiting, public relations, and investor relations. Sharon also spent 17 years with Foot Locker where she held various leadership positions in Operations and Human Resources.

Sharon is an experienced human resource professional with a passion for diversity and for people. She has made it her mission to advance diversity initiatives, sponsor immersive learning trips and lead by example.

A lifelong advocate for inclusion, education and opportunity, Sharon considers it a privilege to serve as a Board member for The Harwood Institute and for the University of Denver’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. She has held previous Board positions with Women’s Foodservice Forum, Enactus, Highlands Oncology Group, and the Center for Entrepreneurship at Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Sharon holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Denver, where she graduated magna cum laude.